The Dardanelle Area Chamber of Commerce invites the public to satisfy their sweet tooths and support a good cause at the 12th annual Chocolate Festival Friday, July 18. This year’s theme is sports with the energetic tagline: Sweet Victory: One Bite at a Time. Inspired by Forrest Gump’s famous words—”Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get”—the festival brings together local businesses, organizations, and individuals to share bite-size chocolate creations. The festival serves as a delicious fundraiser with all proceeds going to support local food banks and hunger relief programs in the Dardanelle area. Here, we spoke with Stacey Daughtrey, executive director of the Dardanelle Chamber of Commerce, about the festival.
PLATED: What inspired the Chocolate Festival, and how did the movie Forrest Gump inspire the concept?
Stacey Daughtrey: The Chocolate Festival began as a small, heartfelt fundraiser over a decade ago, with the idea that life can be unpredictable—just like a box of chocolates. That famous Forrest Gump quote really resonated with the Chamber at the time. It captured the spirit of what we wanted to do: bring people together to support neighbors when life doesn’t go as planned. There’s no specific personal connection to the movie, but the quote has remained a fun, fitting theme ever since.
P: How long have you been executive director of the Dardanelle Chamber of Commerce? Have you been attending the Chocolate Festival since before you became involved?
SD: I’ve served as executive director since 2017, and yes—I attended the Chocolate Festival before I ever worked at the Chamber. It was always one of my favorite events because it combines everything I love about our community: creativity, food, and kindness.
P: Are there any recurring vendors that are a local favorite of yours or of the community? About how many total vendors will there be?
SD: Yes, there are a few returning favorites that the community looks forward to each year—like Dardanelle Nursing & Rehabilitation Center’s decorations and Chambers Bank with their competitive spirit. They bring homemade fudge and dipped treats. We usually have around 20 to 25 vendors, including local businesses, churches, civic groups, and nonprofits. Each one adds their own flavor—literally and figuratively!
P: The festival offers a Chocolate Passport, with the opportunity to win prizes when you turn in a fully stamped passport. Is there anything required at each vendor to receive your stamp?
SD: Tasting is all that’s required—though some booths may include fun extras or interactive displays. The passport is a lighthearted way to encourage people to visit every booth and try something new. Once the passport is complete, it can be turned in for a chance to win a prize. This will also build the Chamber’s email list for our community newsletter.
P: What is the most unique or surprising chocolate dessert you have tried in your years at the Chocolate Festival?
SD: That’s tough—there have been so many creative entries over the years! One of the most surprising was chocolate-covered bacon—salty, sweet, and unforgettable. Another was chocolate chipotle popcorn, which had a little heat to it! I always love seeing what folks come up with.
P: Tell us about the causes that money raised through the Chocolate Festival benefits.
SD: Each year the Chocolate Festival supports a different local need. In the
past, funds have helped families with medical expenses or supported community projects. This year we are focused on hunger relief and the proceeds will go directly to local food pantries and food banks in the Dardanelle area. The specific organizations are chosen by the festival committee and this year’s donations will be split among multiple groups serving our local residents: Sharing and Caring Food Pantry and Food on the Mount.
The Chocolate Festival is 6-8 p.m. at the Carolyn M. McGee Community Center in Dardanelle. Entry for ages 13 and up is a minimum $10 donation. Kids 12 and under can bring three non-perishable food items for entry. Find more Dardanelle events at dardanellechamber.com and RSVP on Facebook here.
Chocolate cake pictured above is from Boulevard Bread Co. in Little Rock. Photo by Rett Peek
